Hard times in Kihei and Wailea, Maui

Roy’s restaurant in Kihei papered over its windows, removed the marquee and closed its doors for good last month. Roy’s was located in the Pi’ikea Shopping Center, not far from the resort zone that includes the Grand Wailea Resort, the Four Seasons, Wailea beach villas and Kihei condos. For those in the area who are going to miss his daily changing menu, my palette goes out to you. The upside is that bargains can be found for vacationers in South Maui, where room rates have dropped over 20% in the last two years and just about everything, from tours to food, is on sale.

Cycle 13 of Tyra Banks’ America’s Next Top Model on location in Maui, Hawaii

Tyra Banks chose Maui, Hawaii, as the “exotic” location in the second half of season (or cycle) 13 for “reality” show about becoming America’s Next Top Model. Tyra Banks shoots model contestant Erin on location near Kahului, Maui. Erin muddles through portraying someone who is “hapa” Tibetan and Egyptian, while “working it” in a hot sugar cane field in Pu’unene near the mill.

Best burgers in Hawaii

Wondering where to get a really great burger in Hawaii? Here are the results of the various readers’ polls and reviews for tops, island by island.

Man crashes truck into bank in Pukalani, Maui, by stepping on gas instead of brake

After doing his errands, the man hopped into his full-size black Dodge Ram pickup and started the engine. But instead of pressing the brake, he pressed the gas. The Ram rammed into the front of the strip mall bank, knocking out the entire front right wall of the bank. American Savings Bank is next to Subway, which was not impacted by the crash.

Maui’s trust fund hippies

Wondering if you or someone you know might be a trust fund hippie? Here are the top 10 signs:
10. You’re in Hawaii, probably Maui, all or part of the year
9. You drive an expensive car or carry expensive gear through Paia without an obvious source of income (i.e., no day job).
8. You have a guru and know what that means.